Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

(Fig. 10), creating a highly interesting
composition that refers to Byzantine
representations known from Palestinian
pilgrim's flasks from Monza and Bobbio,91
and from gems.10) A similar representation
of Christ in the central part of the cross has
been preserved in a hermitage on Kom 29
in Kellia, now in the collection of the
Coptic Museum in Cairo.n) The dating of

this extended composition is imprecise —
provisionally, it has been set in the second
half of the 10th century. The representation
of Christ is the work of an excellent
craftsman. This composition, restored by
C. Calaforra-Rzepka (cf. Fig. 3 on pp. 176
below,12) is now displayed in the church
apse, on the original plaster in the central
niche.


Fig. 10. Christ, depicted in the central niche of the apse of the Church of the Archangel Gabriel
(Photo W. Godlewski)

9) A. Grabar, Ampoules de Terre Sainte (Monza-Bobbio) (Paris 1958).
10) Spatantike und friihes Christentum. Ausstelungskatalog Liebighause, Frankfurt am Mainz, 1983-84, ed. C. Bonner
& M. Pieper (Frankfurt am Mainz 1983), no. 174.
11) F. Daumas and A. Guillaumont, Kellia I, kom 219- Fouilles effectuees en 1964 et 1965 (Le Caire 1969), pp. 47-48,
pi. XXXIXc, pi. 6 e.
12) For a report on this work, cf. contribution by C. Callaforra-Rzepka in this volume.

170